AMBITIOUS plans to restore a key section of the former Wilts & Berks Canal have received another big boost thanks to a generous grant.

Pewsham Locks once lifted narrowboats on their journey from Melksham to Chippenham and was a very busy site with a lock-keepers cottage, wharf and dry dock.

The Wilts & Berks Canal Trust has already restored more than a mile of the waterway including a bridge and other structures and will complete the rebuilding of the dry dock later this year.

Now the charity also hopes to reconstruct the carpenter’s workshop which carried out boat repairs at the locks, using it as an educational resource for visitors.

The new project has been boosted by a £10,000 grant from Chippenham Borough Lands Charity.

Dave Maloney, chairman of the Melksham, Chippenham & Calne branch of the Trust, said: “We’re delighted by the generous support from Chippenham Borough Lands Charity, which recently also provided more than £4,800 to provide our local workparties with new tools and equipment.

“This latest grant will go towards the reconstruction of the carpenter’s workshop which will provide a fantastic resource for the whole community. It will allow us to deliver classes in traditional carpentry and environmental science, as well as providing a new meeting space for local organisations.

“We’re particularly excited to have the support of a professional setbuilder who has volunteered to help ‘age’ the building to create a more accurate representation of how the original workshop would have looked in the 18th century.”

Phil Tansley, CEO of Chippenham Borough Lands, said: “We are delighted to be providing support to the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust to bring this waterway back into use again.

“The carpenter’s workshop will certainly help with bringing more people down to see this amazing site."

The Trust’s ultimate ambition is to extend the Pewsham stretch towards Lacock and then connect with the original line south of the village, where the Trust has already purchased some of the land, to join the proposed new ‘Melksham Link’ which would provide access to the Kennet & Avon Canal.

Aside from the welcome boost to local tourism and employment, the restoration would also provide valuable new wildlife habitats.

The charity is always keen to welcome new volunteers and there is a particular need for qualified health and safety managers and temporary works coordinators. To volunteer, email dave.maloney@wbct.org.uk or visit www.wbct.org.uk.